Systems and methods for prostate treatment

Abstract

A vapor delivery needle is provided that may include any of a number of features. One feature of the energy delivery probe is that it can apply condensable vapor energy to tissue, such as a prostrate, to shrink, damage, denaturate the prostate. In some embodiments, the vapor delivery needle can be advanced a predetermined distance into the prostate by an actuation mechanism. The actuation mechanism can comprise, for example, a spring, or at least one magnet. Methods associated with use of the energy delivery probe are also covered.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A vapor delivery system, comprising:
 a shaft;   a vapor delivery needle; and   a handle including:
 a first actuator configured to selectively advance or retract the vapor delivery needle; 
 a second actuator configured to selectively activate a flow of vapor through the vapor delivery needle; and 
 a third actuator configured to selectively activate a flow of irrigation fluid through the shaft. 
   
     
     
         18 . The vapor delivery system of  claim 17 , wherein the second actuator is configured to simultaneously activate a source of fluid into a vapor generator and activate a source of energy to transform fluid from the source of fluid into vapor. 
     
     
         19 . The vapor delivery system of  claim 18 , further comprising a controller, wherein the second actuator is configured to signal the controller to simultaneously activate the source of fluid and the source of energy. 
     
     
         20 . The vapor delivery system of  claim 18 , wherein the second actuator is configured to activate the source of energy for a predetermined interval. 
     
     
         21 . The vapor delivery system of  claim 17 , wherein the handle further includes: a first magnet coupled to the vapor delivery needle, a second magnet, and a third magnet, wherein rotation of the second magnet and the third magnet about the first magnet causes the vapor delivery needle to move. 
     
     
         22 . The vapor delivery system of  claim 17 , wherein the handle further includes a vapor generator configured to generate vapor for the flow of vapor. 
     
     
         23 . The vapor delivery system of  claim 22 , wherein the vapor generator includes a helically wound tubing and a radiofrequency (RF) coil positioned around the tubing, wherein the RF coil is configured to inductively heat a fluid traveling through the tubing. 
     
     
         24 . The vapor delivery system of  claim 23 , wherein the tubing is coupled to an outflow line, wherein the outflow line has a looped portion that is connected to a proximal end of the vapor delivery needle. 
     
     
         25 . The vapor delivery system of  claim 17 , further comprising an interlock between the second actuator and the third actuator, such that the flow of vapor is delivered only when the flow of irrigation fluid is delivered. 
     
     
         26 . A vapor delivery system, comprising:
 a shaft;   a vapor delivery needle; and   a handle including:
 a first actuator configured to selectively advance or retract the vapor delivery needle; 
 a second actuator configured to selectively activate a flow of vapor through the vapor delivery needle; and 
 a vapor generator configured to generate vapor for the flow of vapor, wherein the vapor generator includes a helically wound tubing and a radiofrequency (RF) coil positioned around the tubing, wherein the RF coil is configured to inductively heat a fluid traveling through the tubing. 
   
     
     
         27 . The vapor delivery system of  claim 26 , further comprising a controller configured to simultaneously activate the RF coil and deliver the fluid to the tubing. 
     
     
         28 . The vapor delivery system of  claim 26 , wherein the handle further includes a third actuator configured to selectively activate a flow of irrigation fluid through the shaft. 
     
     
         29 . The vapor delivery system of  claim 28 , further comprising an interlock between the second actuator and the third actuator, such that the flow of vapor is delivered only when the flow of irrigation fluid is delivered. 
     
     
         30 . The vapor delivery system of  claim 28 , wherein the tubing is coupled to an outflow line, wherein the outflow line has a looped portion that is connected to a proximal end of the vapor delivery needle. 
     
     
         31 . The vapor delivery system of  claim 26 , wherein the handle further includes: a first magnet coupled to the vapor delivery needle, a second magnet, and a third magnet, wherein rotation of the second magnet and the third magnet about the first magnet causes the vapor delivery needle to move. 
     
     
         32 . A vapor delivery system, comprising:
 a shaft;   a vapor delivery needle; and   a handle including:
 a first actuator configured to selectively activate a flow of vapor through the vapor delivery needle; 
 a second actuator configured to selectively activate a flow of irrigation fluid through the shaft; and 
 an interlock between the first actuator and the second actuator, such that the flow of vapor is delivered only when the flow of irrigation fluid is delivered. 
   
     
     
         33 . The vapor delivery system of  claim 32 , wherein the handle further includes a vapor generator configured to generate vapor for the flow of vapor, wherein the vapor generator includes a tubing and a radiofrequency (RF) coil positioned around the tubing, wherein the RF coil is configured to inductively heat a fluid traveling through the tubing, wherein the tubing is coupled to an outflow line, and wherein the outflow line has a looped portion that is connected to a proximal end of the vapor delivery needle. 
     
     
         34 . The vapor delivery system of  claim 33 , further comprising a controller configured to simultaneously activate the RF coil and deliver the fluid to the tubing. 
     
     
         35 . The vapor delivery system of  claim 33 , wherein the tubing is helically wound. 
     
     
         36 . The vapor delivery system of  claim 32 , wherein the handle further includes:
 a third actuator configured to selectively advance or retract the vapor delivery needle.